Apartment Safety: The Keys For Security

By Zy Mazza

Your apartment search for the perfect little bungalow. Only 10 minutes from your school, not too expensive, and maybe it even has a pool! You’re anxious to pull the trigger, but there’s probably something you haven’t considered yet: is your apartment safe? Here are some things to look out for to make sure that you’re in the clear.

Know the neighborhood

In many college areas, the university area is one of the safest parts. However, if you drive just 5 to 10 minutes in the wrong direction, you could find yourself in a dangerous neighborhood. Researching the neighborhood ahead of time is absolutely critical to having a safe apartment. It doesn’t matter how cheap the rent is or how spacious the closet if you’re living across the street from a meth lab. Do your research to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Building security

Does your apartment have a buzzer or can anyone go in and out? If it does have a buzzer, how secure is the gate and fence? If you’re looking at a little house, make sure it has good, solid doors. Metal security doors are a good start, but try to find a house with a fence or a wall. A house with a security system is a huge plus. Building security is critical to consider when you are living on a first floor apartment.

No matter where you live, make sure there are smoke detectors. If there are no smoke detectors, don’t sign the lease. Chances are, the landlord is breaking fire code.

Broken window theory

There is a theory in criminology that a building with a broken window is more likely to have other crimes take place in its vicinity. The idea being that a dilapidated building is a signal for more crime. When looking for a place to live, make sure it’s well maintained. In addition to the structural hazards of cracked foundations and a chipped exterior, a neighborhood with a lot of structural problems is likely to have a lot of crime as well. Avoid poorly maintained houses and apartment buildings.

Lighting

Nothing deters crime like light. Security floodlights are a must if you’re looking into renting a house. If you’re looking at an apartment, make sure all common areas are well lit at all times. This will reduce the chances of uninvited guests, and ensure that any sketchy neighbors behave themselves.

If the area is well lit, make sure there are no shrubs or little corners for an intruder to conceal themselves with. Lighting is useless if there’s still a lot of dark areas.

It’s probably very difficult to find a house that meets all of these criteria flawlessly, but keeping an eye out for these features is definitely a good idea. Remember though, none of these can keep you safe without a little help from you. Make sure the security lights are on, your doors are locked, and you keep your living space well maintained. Even the most secure bank vault in the world is vulnerable if it’s left open.

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